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Akiva teacher Kathy Sklar, liana Goldmeier, 17, Akiva; Michelle Shumunov, 17,
FJA; Allie Lichterman, 17, FJA; Noga Barpal, 17, FJA; Natalie Bloom, 16, FJA;
DINNER INCLUDES
Soup or Salad, Wild Rice & Veggie
Molly Williams, 16, FJA; Linda Baruch, FJA teacher; Stephanie Curhan, 16,
FJA; Elizabeth Kirshner, 17, Akiva; and Shiri Wrotslaysky, 17, Akiva
Supporting Israel
Local students learn advocacy skills.
Elizabeth Kirshner
Teen2Teen Staff Writer
w
e sing "Hatikvah" at school
assemblies, follow overseas
news channels and wear
blue and white on Yom HaAtzmaut.
Many of us have even visited Israel or
plan to study there after high school.
As passionate supporters of Israel, this
fervor is naturally ingrained, but what
about when this pride is questioned by
outsiders?
By participating in the pro-Israel
advocacy group AIPAC's Schusterman
Advocacy Institute High School
Summit in Washington, D.C., earlier
this month, Jewish teens from across
the country gained insight and skills
necessary to channel their love for
Israel into political action.
The energy radiating throughout
the conference was apparent, as the
sessions buzzed with questions and
discussions from inquisitive and
driven students. Shiri Wrotslaysky, a
senior at Akiva Hebrew Day School in
Southfield, was particularly impressed
by the diversity of the participants.
"Seeing other Jewish students from
all walks of life coming together for
the cause reminded me of what makes
Israel so special," she said.
Additionally, participants had the
privilege of hearing AIPAC Campus
Activists Bakari Sellers, Krista Allen,
Hamza Khan and Andrea Valenzuela,
non-Jewish students who took initia-
tives to advocate for Israel on college
campuses. Their spirit infused the
high school students with further
excitement for advocacy.
Much of the seminar was devoted to
presenting a clearer view of Israel's cir-
cumstances in the global scheme, giv-
ing participants an accurate depiction
of the often-misconstrued country.
Natalie Bloom, a junior at Frankel
Jewish Academy (FJA) in West
Bloomfield, said she felt "grateful" for
this opportunity to "fully understand
and grasp the issues Israel is facing."
The program also incorporated
renowned speakers, such as Jonathan
Kessler, AIPAC leadership development
director, and other AIPAC organiz-
ers, leading sessions stressing Israel's
vital contributions to America and the
global community. By emphasizing
Israel's strengths, the students' enthu-
siasm for Israel was reaffirmed, adding
to their dedication.
FJA junior Molly Williams felt the
conference enhanced her sense of
identity. "I grew as an American-Jew
and learned so much about my own
role in this important relationship:'
said Williams, who called the experi-
ence "moving.
Moreover, the AIPAC seminar pro-
moted channeling pro-Israel dedica-
tion into action, specifically in the
form of lobbying on Capitol Hill. While
the prospect of approaching political
leaders to express a concern can seem
daunting to a high school student,
AIPAC teaches that "if you want to
make a difference and advocate for
Israel, age doesn't matter," said Allie
Lichterman, an FJA senior.
Highlighting the importance of
taking a stand, AIPAC left students
with the message of true advocacy,
underscored by the lobbying appoint-
ments with Congressional leaders.
Participants acquired the tools to build
relationships with powerful officials in
an effort to make significant change.
Beyond pride, AIPAC promotes action.
As Michelle Shumunov, an FJA
senior, said, "I discovered that I could
have my voice heard." Empowered,
Shumunov echoes the sentiment felt
throughout the program, an experi-
ence that she says helped her "grow
as a Zionist, as an American and as a
leader." II
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November 24 • 2011
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